Yenagoa – Former Transport Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, on Tuesday, said democracy has stabilised Nigeria.

Babatope said in Yenagoa that the positive impact of democratic rule in governance had helped the country to stabilise the polity.

He made the remark at the 17th Anniversary Public Lecture organised by the Bayelsa government, in commemoration of the 17 years of the state’s creation.

The anniversary lecture has “Good Governance as Panacea for Promoting Stable Democracy and Sustainable Development” as its theme.

The ex-minister said that in spite of its challenges, Nigeria recorded great feats as a nation under democracy.

“Nigeria is a multi-tribal and multi-religious nation. Our delicate balancing of the operations of these essential features of our socio-political lives had helped tremendously in ensuring the triumph of democracy in our nation.

“Though we have conflicts, our nation has not gone under because no matter our faults, we have not allowed the basic tenets of democracy and democratic governance to be subverted in our country.

“Democracy, therefore, has gone a long way to stabilise our nation.”

Babatope noted that the current challenges facing the country centred on how to make democracy work and survive.

According to him, it is clear that democracy is the only form of government that can guarantee the survival of Nigeria as a nation.

He said: “democracy not only permits the freedom of choice and movement, it equally ensures that the fundamental rights of Nigerians are respected.

“I have always been amazed when I hear people say that the military may instigate a coup simply because we have some problems in our political arrangements.”

The former minister, who reiterated his belief in the survival of democracy in Nigeria, said that the Nigerian military had grown in professionalism and had shown the required maturity in attitude toward the political affairs of the country.

“The officers of the Nigerian military have exhibited their hostility to anything that will drag the the nation into conflicts.

“I praise them for this stance and I request them to remain absolutely loyal to the oath they have taken, solely to protect the nation’s territorial sovereignty and endure the security of all Nigerians.”

He warned that it would never be in the interest of the Nigerian military if it allowed itself to be used to subvert or overthrow the country’s constitution.

He said: “If Nigeria’s armed forces should allow themselves to be caught in this kind of game, then, it will be a gradual descent into perfidy.”

Earlier, the Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, had expressed his administration’s belief in the survival of a democratic united Nigeria.

He said: “here in Bayelsa, we believe in the potential and possibilities of the Nigerian nation. The divisions we see today are artificial, because we believe that as a people, we must work tirelessly to overcome them.”

Dickson urged Nigerians to join hands with the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to reposition the nation and place it on the path of growth and development.

The lecture was attended by notable dignitaries from within and outside the state, including ex-Speaker of the House of Representives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba.

Others were one-time governor of Anambra, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, traditional rulers, members of the Bayelsa executive council and civil society groups, among others. (NAN)